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Africa :: Guinea Print
Page last updated on September 10, 2020
  • Introduction :: Guinea
  • Background field listing
    Guinea is at a turning point after decades of authoritarian rule since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Sekou TOURE ruled the country as president from independence to his death in 1984. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984 when the military seized the government after TOURE's death. Gen. CONTE organized and won presidential elections in 1993, 1998, and 2003, though results were questionable due to a lack in transparency and neutrality in the electoral process. Upon CONTE's death in December 2008, Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup, seizing power and suspending the constitution. His unwillingness to yield to domestic and international pressure to step down led to heightened political tensions that peaked in September 2009 when presidential guards opened fire on an opposition rally killing more than 150 people. In early December 2009, CAMARA was wounded in an assassination attempt and exiled to Burkina Faso. A transitional government led by Gen. Sekouba KONATE paved the way for Guinea's transition to a fledgling democracy. The country held its first free and competitive democratic presidential and legislative elections in 2010 and 2013 respectively, and in October 2015 held a second consecutive presidential election. Alpha CONDE was reelected to a second five-year term as president in 2015, and the National Assembly was seated in January 2014. CONDE's first cabinet is the first all-civilian government in Guinea. The country held a successful political dialogue in August and September 2016 that brought together the government and opposition to address long-standing tensions. Local elections were held in February 2018, and disputed results in some of the races resulted in ongoing protests against CONDE's government.
  • Geography :: Guinea
  • Location field listing
    Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
    Geographic coordinates field listing
    11 00 N, 10 00 W
    Map references field listing
    Africa
    Area field listing
    total: 245,857 sq km
    land: 245,717 sq km
    water: 140 sq km
    country comparison to the world: 80
    Area - comparative field listing
    slightly smaller than Oregon; slightly larger than twice the size of Pennsylvania
    Area comparison map: Area comparison map
    Land boundaries field listing
    total: 4,046 km
    border countries (6): Cote d'Ivoire 816 km, Guinea-Bissau 421 km, Liberia 590 km, Mali 1062 km, Senegal 363 km, Sierra Leone 794 km
    Coastline field listing
    320 km
    Maritime claims field listing
    territorial sea: 12 nm
    exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
    Climate field listing
    generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
    Terrain field listing
    generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior
    Elevation field listing
    mean elevation: 472 m
    lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
    highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
    Natural resources field listing
    bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt
    Land use field listing
    agricultural land: 58.1% (2011 est.)
    arable land: 11.8% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 2.8% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 43.5% (2011 est.)
    forest: 26.5% (2011 est.)
    other: 15.4% (2011 est.)
    Irrigated land field listing
    950 sq km (2012)
    Population distribution field listing
    areas of highest density are in the west and south; interior is sparsely populated
    Natural hazards field listing
    hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season
    Environment - current issues field listing
    deforestation; inadequate potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices lead to environmental damage; water pollution; improper waste disposal
    Environment - international agreements field listing
    party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
    signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
    Geography - note field listing
    the Niger and its important tributary the Milo River have their sources in the Guinean highlands
  • People and Society :: Guinea
  • Population field listing
    12,527,440 (July 2020 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 76
    Nationality field listing
    noun: Guinean(s)
    adjective: Guinean
    Ethnic groups field listing
    Fulani (Peuhl) 33.4%, Malinke 29.4%, Susu 21.2%, Guerze 7.8%, Kissi 6.2%, Toma 1.6%, other/foreign .4% (2018 est.)
    Languages field listing
    French (official), Pular, Maninka, Susu, other native languages

    note: about 40 languages are spoken; each ethnic group has its own language

    Religions field listing
    Muslim 89.1%, Christian 6.8%, animist 1.6%, other .1%, none 2.4% (2014 est.)
    Demographic profile field listing

    Guinea’s strong population growth is a result of declining mortality rates and sustained elevated fertility. The population growth rate was somewhat tempered in the 2000s because of a period of net outmigration. Although life expectancy and mortality rates have improved over the last two decades, the nearly universal practice of female genital cutting continues to contribute to high infant and maternal mortality rates. Guinea’s total fertility remains high at about 5 children per woman because of the ongoing preference for larger families, low contraceptive usage and availability, a lack of educational attainment and empowerment among women, and poverty. A lack of literacy and vocational training programs limit job prospects for youths, but even those with university degrees often have no option but to work in the informal sector. About 60% of the country’s large youth population is unemployed.

    Tensions and refugees have spilled over Guinea’s borders with Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire. During the 1990s Guinea harbored as many as half a million refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia, more refugees than any other African country for much of that decade. About half sought refuge in the volatile "Parrot’s Beak" region of southwest Guinea, a wedge of land jutting into Sierra Leone near the Liberian border. Many were relocated within Guinea in the early 2000s because the area suffered repeated cross-border attacks from various government and rebel forces, as well as anti-refugee violence.

    Age structure field listing
    0-14 years: 41.2% (male 2,601,221/female 2,559,918)
    15-24 years: 19.32% (male 1,215,654/female 1,204,366)
    25-54 years: 30.85% (male 1,933,141/female 1,930,977)
    55-64 years: 4.73% (male 287,448/female 305,420)
    65 years and over: 3.91% (male 218,803/female 270,492) (2020 est.)
    population pyramid: population pyramid
    Dependency ratios field listing
    total dependency ratio: 85.2
    youth dependency ratio: 79.7
    elderly dependency ratio: 5.5
    potential support ratio: 18.3 (2020 est.)
    Median age field listing
    total: 19.1 years
    male: 18.9 years
    female: 19.4 years (2020 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 206
    Population growth rate field listing
    2.76% (2020 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 13
    Birth rate field listing
    36.1 births/1,000 population (2020 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 18
    Death rate field listing
    8.4 deaths/1,000 population (2020 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 77
    Net migration rate field listing
    0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2020 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 83
    Population distribution field listing
    areas of highest density are in the west and south; interior is sparsely populated
    Urbanization field listing
    urban population: 36.5% of total population (2020)
    rate of urbanization: 3.54% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
    Major urban areas - population field listing
    1.938 million CONAKRY (capital) (2020)
    Sex ratio field listing
    at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
    0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
    15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
    25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
    55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
    65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
    total population: 1 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
    Mother's mean age at first birth field listing
    19.5 years (2018 est.)

    note: median age at first birth among women 25-29

    Maternal mortality rate field listing
    576 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 14
    Infant mortality rate field listing
    total: 52.4 deaths/1,000 live births
    male: 57.3 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 47.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2020 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 19
    Life expectancy at birth field listing
    total population: 63.2 years
    male: 61.3 years
    female: 65 years (2020 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 204
    Total fertility rate field listing
    4.92 children born/woman (2020 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 14
    Contraceptive prevalence rate field listing
    8.7% (2016)
    Drinking water source field listing
    improved: urban: 97.9% of population
    rural: 69.8% of population
    total: 79.9% of population
    unimproved: urban: 2.1% of population
    rural: 27.6% of population
    total: 20.1% of population (2017 est.)
    Current Health Expenditure field listing
    4.1% (2017)
    Physicians density field listing
    0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
    Hospital bed density field listing
    0.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
    Sanitation facility access field listing
    improved: urban: 85.6% of population
    rural: 34.8% of population
    total: 53% of population
    unimproved: urban: 14.4% of population
    rural: 65.2% of population
    total: 47% of population (2017 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate field listing
    1.4% (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 34
    HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS field listing
    120,000 (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 40
    HIV/AIDS - deaths field listing
    4,300 (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 30
    Major infectious diseases field listing
    degree of risk: very high (2020)
    food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
    vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
    water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
    animal contact diseases: rabies
    aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases: Lassa fever (2016)
    Obesity - adult prevalence rate field listing
    7.7% (2016)
    country comparison to the world: 158
    Children under the age of 5 years underweight field listing
    18.3% (2016)
    country comparison to the world: 31
    Education expenditures field listing
    2.2% of GDP (2017)
    country comparison to the world: 165
    Literacy field listing
    definition: age 15 and over can read and write
    total population: 30.4%
    male: 38.1%
    female: 22.8% (2015)
    School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) field listing
    total: 9 years
    male: 10 years
    female: 8 years (2014)
    Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 field listing
    total: 1%
    male: 1.5%
    female: 0.6% (2012 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 178
  • Government :: Guinea
  • Country name field listing
    conventional long form: Republic of Guinea
    conventional short form: Guinea
    local long form: Republique de Guinee
    local short form: Guinee
    former: French Guinea
    etymology: the country is named after the Guinea region of West Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea and stretches north to the Sahel
    Government type field listing
    presidential republic
    Capital field listing
    name: Conakry
    geographic coordinates: 9 30 N, 13 42 W
    time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
    etymology: according to tradition, the name derives from the fusion of the name "Cona," a Baga wine and cheese producer who lived on Tombo Island (the original site of the present-day capital), and the word "nakiri," which in Susu means "the other bank" or "the other side"; supposedly, Baga's palm grove produced the best wine on the island and people traveling to sample his vintage, would say: "I am going to Cona, on the other bank (Cona-nakiri)," which over time became Conakry
    Administrative divisions field listing
    7 regions administrative and 1 gouvenorat*; Boke, Conakry*, Faranah, Kankan, Kindia, Labe, Mamou, N'Zerekore
    Independence field listing
    2 October 1958 (from France)
    National holiday field listing
    Independence Day, 2 October (1958)
    Constitution field listing
    history: previous 1958, 1990; latest promulgated 19 April 2010, approved 7 May 2010; note - in late December 2019, President CONDE announced a new draft constitution
    amendments: proposed by the National Assembly or by the president of the republic; consideration of proposals requires approval by simple majority vote by the Assembly; passage requires approval in referendum; the president can opt to submit amendments directly to the Assembly, in which case approval requires at least two-thirds majority vote
    International law organization participation field listing
    accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
    Citizenship field listing
    citizenship by birth: no
    citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Guinea
    dual citizenship recognized: no
    residency requirement for naturalization: na
    Suffrage field listing
    18 years of age; universal
    Executive branch field listing
    chief of state: President Alpha CONDE (since 21 December 2010)
    head of government: Prime Minister Ibrahima FOFANA (since 22 May 2018)
    cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
    elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 October 2015 (next to be held in 2020); prime minister appointed by the president
    election results: Alpha CONDE reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Alpha CONDE (RPG) 57.8%, Cellou Dalein DIALLO (UFDG) 31.4%, other 10.8%
    Legislative branch field listing
    description: unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; 76 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote and 38 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)
    elections: last held on 28 September 2013 (next to be held 1 March 2020)
    election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPG 53, UFDG 37, UFR 10, PEDN 2, UPG 2, other 10; composition - men 89, women 25, percent of women 21.9%
    Judicial branch field listing
    highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (organized into Administrative Chamber and Civil, Penal, and Social Chamber; court consists of the first president, 2 chamber presidents, 10 councilors, the solicitor general, and NA deputies); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members)
    judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court first president appointed by the national president after consultation with the National Assembly; other members appointed by presidential decree; members serve until age 65; Constitutional Court member appointments - 2 by the National Assembly and the president of the republic, 3 experienced judges designated by their peers, 1 experienced lawyer, 1 university professor with expertise in public law designated by peers, and 2 experienced representatives of the Independent National Institution of Human Rights; members serve single 9-year terms
    subordinate courts: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; High Court of Justice or Cour d'Assises; Court of Account (Court of Auditors); Courts of First Instance (Tribunal de Premiere Instance); labor court; military tribunal; justices of the peace; specialized courts
    Political parties and leaders field listing
    Bloc Liberal or BL [Faya MILLIMONO]
    National Party for Hope and Development or PEDN [Lansana KOUYATE]
    Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]
    Union for the Progress of Guinea or UPG
    Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Cellou Dalein DIALLO]
    Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]
    Ruling party Rally of the Guinean People (Rassemblement du Peuple Guinéen, RPG) Opposition parties African Democratic Party of Guinea (Parti démocratique africain de Guinée) Party of Unity and Progress (Parti de l'Unité et du Progrès, PUP) Union for Progress and Renewal (Union pour le Progrès et le Renouveau, UPR) Union for Progress of Guinea (Union pour le Progrès de la Guinée, UPG) Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally (Parti Démocratique de Guinée-Rassemblement Démocratique Africain, PDG-RDA) National Alliance for Progress (Alliance Nationale pour le Progrès, ANP) Party of the Union for Development (Parti de l’Union pour le Développement, PUD) Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea ( Union des Forces Démocratiques de Guinée, UFDG ), led by Cellou Dalein Diallo Union of Republican Forces (Union des Forces Républicaines, UFR) the Party of Democrats for Hope (" PADES") Led by Dr Ousmane Kaba
    International organization participation field listing
    ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
    Diplomatic representation in the US field listing
    Ambassador Kerfalla YANSANE (since 24 January 2018)
    chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
    telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300
    FAX: [1] (202) 986-3800
    Diplomatic representation from the US field listing
    chief of mission: Ambassador Simon HENSHAW (since 4 March 2019)
    telephone: [224] 655-10-40-00
    embassy: Transversale #2, Center Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry
    mailing address: P.O. Box 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry
    FAX: [224] 655-10-42-97
    Flag description field listing
    three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; red represents the people's sacrifice for liberation and work; yellow stands for the sun, for the riches of the earth, and for justice; green symbolizes the country's vegetation and unity

    note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors from left to right are the reverse of those on the flags of neighboring Mali and Senegal

    National symbol(s) field listing
    elephant; national colors: red, yellow, green
    National anthem field listing
    name: "Liberte" (Liberty)
    lyrics/music: unknown/Fodeba KEITA

    note: adopted 1958

  • Economy :: Guinea
  • Economy - overview field listing

    Guinea is a poor country of approximately 12.9 million people in 2016 that possesses the world's largest reserves of bauxite and largest untapped high-grade iron ore reserves, as well as gold and diamonds. In addition, Guinea has fertile soil, ample rainfall, and is the source of several West African rivers, including the Senegal, Niger, and Gambia. Guinea's hydro potential is enormous and the country could be a major exporter of electricity. The country also has tremendous agriculture potential. Gold, bauxite, and diamonds are Guinea’s main exports. International investors have shown interest in Guinea's unexplored mineral reserves, which have the potential to propel Guinea's future growth.

    Following the death of long-term President Lansana CONTE in 2008 and the coup that followed, international donors, including the G-8, the IMF, and the World Bank, significantly curtailed their development programs in Guinea. However, the IMF approved a 3-year Extended Credit Facility arrangement in 2012, following the December 2010 presidential elections. In September 2012, Guinea achieved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries completion point status. Future access to international assistance and investment will depend on the government’s ability to be transparent, combat corruption, reform its banking system, improve its business environment, and build infrastructure. In April 2013, the government amended its mining code to reduce taxes and royalties. In 2014, Guinea complied with requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative by publishing its mining contracts. Guinea completed its program with the IMF in October 2016 even though some targeted reforms have been delayed. Currently Guinea is negotiating a new IMF program which will be based on Guinea’s new five-year economic plan, focusing on the development of higher value-added products, including from the agro-business sector and development of the rural economy.

    Political instability, a reintroduction of the Ebola virus epidemic, low international commodity prices, and an enduring legacy of corruption, inefficiency, and lack of government transparency are factors that could impact Guinea’s future growth. Economic recovery will be a long process while the government adjusts to lower inflows of international donor aid following the surge of Ebola-related emergency support. Ebola stalled promising economic growth in the 2014-15 period and impeded several projects, such as offshore oil exploration and the Simandou iron ore project. The economy, however, grew by 6.6% in 2016 and 6.7% in 2017, mainly due to growth from bauxite mining and thermal energy generation as well as the resiliency of the agricultural sector. The 240-megawatt Kaleta Dam, inaugurated in September 2015, has expanded access to electricity for residents of Conakry. An combined with fears of Ebola virus, continue to undermine Guinea's economic viability.

    Guinea’s iron ore industry took a hit in 2016 when investors in the Simandou iron ore project announced plans to divest from the project. In 2017, agriculture output and public investment boosted economic growth, while the mining sector continued to play a prominent role in economic performance.

    Successive governments have failed to address the country's crumbling infrastructure. Guinea suffers from chronic electricity shortages; poor roads, rail lines and bridges; and a lack of access to clean water - all of which continue to plague economic development. The present government, led by President Alpha CONDE, is working to create an environment to attract foreign investment and hopes to have greater participation from western countries and firms in Guinea's economic development.

    GDP (purchasing power parity) field listing
    $27.97 billion (2017 est.)
    $25.84 billion (2016 est.)
    $23.39 billion (2015 est.)

    note: data are in 2017 dollars

    country comparison to the world: 138
    GDP (official exchange rate) field listing
    $10.25 billion (2017 est.)
    GDP - real growth rate field listing
    8.2% (2017 est.)
    10.5% (2016 est.)
    3.8% (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 8
    GDP - per capita (PPP) field listing
    $2,200 (2017 est.)
    $2,000 (2016 est.)
    $1,900 (2015 est.)

    note: data are in 2017 dollars

    country comparison to the world: 205
    Gross national saving field listing
    5.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
    -6.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
    -5.3% of GDP (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 176
    GDP - composition, by end use field listing
    household consumption: 80.8% (2017 est.)
    government consumption: 6.6% (2017 est.)
    investment in fixed capital: 9.1% (2017 est.)
    investment in inventories: 18.5% (2017 est.)
    exports of goods and services: 21.9% (2017 est.)
    imports of goods and services: -36.9% (2017 est.)
    GDP - composition, by sector of origin field listing
    agriculture: 19.8% (2017 est.)
    industry: 32.1% (2017 est.)
    services: 48.1% (2017 est.)
    Agriculture - products field listing
    rice, coffee, pineapples, mangoes, palm kernels, cocoa, cassava (manioc, tapioca), bananas, potatoes, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber
    Industries field listing
    bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron ore; light manufacturing, agricultural processing
    Industrial production growth rate field listing
    11% (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 9
    Labor force field listing
    5.558 million (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 75
    Labor force - by occupation field listing
    agriculture: 76%
    industry: 24% (2006 est.)
    Unemployment rate field listing
    2.7% (2017 est.)
    2.8% (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 28
    Population below poverty line field listing
    47% (2006 est.)
    Household income or consumption by percentage share field listing
    lowest 10%: 2.7%
    highest 10%: 30.3% (2007)
    Budget field listing
    revenues: 1.7 billion (2017 est.)
    expenditures: 1.748 billion (2017 est.)
    Taxes and other revenues field listing
    16.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 178
    Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) field listing
    -0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 61
    Public debt field listing
    37.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
    41.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 137
    Fiscal year field listing
    calendar year
    Inflation rate (consumer prices) field listing
    8.9% (2017 est.)
    8.2% (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 200
    Current account balance field listing
    -$705 million (2017 est.)
    -$2.705 billion (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 128
    Exports field listing
    $3.514 billion (2017 est.)
    $1.954 billion (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 123
    Exports - partners field listing
    China 35.8%, Ghana 20.1%, UAE 11.6%, India 4.3% (2017)
    Exports - commodities field listing
    bauxite, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products
    Imports field listing
    $4.799 billion (2017 est.)
    $4.43 billion (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 133
    Imports - commodities field listing
    petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs
    Imports - partners field listing
    Netherlands 17.2%, China 13.2%, India 11.8%, Belgium 10%, France 6.9%, UAE 4.5% (2017)
    Reserves of foreign exchange and gold field listing
    $331.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)
    $383.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 165
    Debt - external field listing
    $1.458 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
    $1.462 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 160
    Exchange rates field listing
    Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar -
    9,230 (2017 est.)
    9,085 (2016 est.)
    9,085 (2015 est.)
    7,485.5 (2014 est.)
    7,014.1 (2013 est.)
  • Energy :: Guinea
  • Electricity access field listing
    population without electricity: 11 million (2017)
    electrification - total population: 33.5% (2016)
    electrification - urban areas: 82.2% (2016)
    electrification - rural areas: 6.9% (2016)
    Electricity - production field listing
    598 million kWh (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 162
    Electricity - consumption field listing
    556.1 million kWh (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 168
    Electricity - exports field listing
    0 kWh (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 144
    Electricity - imports field listing
    0 kWh (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 156
    Electricity - installed generating capacity field listing
    550,000 kW (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 145
    Electricity - from fossil fuels field listing
    33% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 182
    Electricity - from nuclear fuels field listing
    0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 103
    Electricity - from hydroelectric plants field listing
    67% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 20
    Electricity - from other renewable sources field listing
    0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 190
    Crude oil - production field listing
    0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 145
    Crude oil - exports field listing
    0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 133
    Crude oil - imports field listing
    0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 137
    Crude oil - proved reserves field listing
    0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 141
    Refined petroleum products - production field listing
    0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 153
    Refined petroleum products - consumption field listing
    19,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 143
    Refined petroleum products - exports field listing
    0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 162
    Refined petroleum products - imports field listing
    18,460 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 128
    Natural gas - production field listing
    0 cu m (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 142
    Natural gas - consumption field listing
    0 cu m (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 155
    Natural gas - exports field listing
    0 cu m (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 117
    Natural gas - imports field listing
    0 cu m (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 135
    Natural gas - proved reserves field listing
    0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 143
    Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy field listing
    2.794 million Mt (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 149
  • Communications :: Guinea
  • Telephones - fixed lines field listing
    total subscriptions: 0
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 220
    Telephones - mobile cellular field listing
    total subscriptions: 12.013 million
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 101 (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 75
    Telecommunication systems field listing
    general assessment: huge improvement over the last ten years; in May 2019, 4G Wi-Fi was launched in the capital; the regional administrative centers all have 3G access; the 2018 set up of an IXP (Internet Exchange Point) reduced the cost of Internet bandwidth and improved infrastructure; a National Backbone Network is nearing completion to connect administrative centers (2020)
    domestic: there is national coverage and Conakry is reasonably well-served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate but is improving; fixed-line teledensity is less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is expanding rapidly and now 101 per 100 persons (2018)
    international: country code - 224; ACE submarine cable connecting Guinea with 20 landing points in Western and South Africa and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean (2019)
    the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
    Broadcast media field listing

    government maintains marginal control over broadcast media; single state-run TV station; state-run radio broadcast station also operates several stations in rural areas; a dozen private television stations; a steadily increasing number of privately owned radio stations, nearly all in Conakry, and about a dozen community radio stations; foreign TV programming available via satellite and cable subscription services 

    (2019)
    Internet country code field listing
    .gn
    Internet users field listing
    total: 2,133,974
    percent of population: 18% (July 2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 121
    Broadband - fixed subscriptions field listing
    total: 1,213
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 194
  • Military and Security :: Guinea
  • Military and security forces field listing
    National Armed Forces: Army, Guinean Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne, includes Marines), Guinean Air Force (Force Aerienne de Guinee), Presidential Security Battalion (Battailon Autonome de la Sécurité Presidentielle, BASP), Gendarmerie, People's Militia (Reserves) (2019)
    Military expenditures field listing
    2% of GDP (2019)
    2.3% of GDP (2018)
    2.5% of GDP (2017)
    2.5% of GDP (2016)
    3.3% of GDP (2015)
    country comparison to the world: 51
    Military and security service personnel strengths field listing

    Guinean National Armed Forces are comprised of approximately 13,000 active personnel (est. 9,000 Army; 400 Navy; 800 Air Force; 1,400 Gendarmerie; 1,600 Republican Guard)

    (2019 est.)
    Military equipment inventories and acquisitions field listing
    the inventory of the Guinean military consists largely of ageing and outdated (mostly Soviet-era) equipment; since 2010, it has received a limited amount of equipment from France, Russia, and South Africa (2019 est.)
    Military deployments field listing
    850 Mali (MINUSMA) (April 2020)
    Military service age and obligation field listing
    no compulsory military service (2017)
  • Transportation :: Guinea
  • Civil aircraft registration country code prefix field listing
    3X (2016)
    Airports field listing
    16 (2013)
    country comparison to the world: 143
    Airports - with paved runways field listing
    total: 4 (2019)
    over 3,047 m: 1
    1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
    Airports - with unpaved runways field listing
    total: 12 (2013)
    1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2013)
    914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2013)
    under 914 m: 2 (2013)
    Railways field listing
    total: 1,086 km (2017)
    standard gauge: 279 km 1.435-m gauge (2017)
    narrow gauge: 807 km 1.000-m gauge (2017)
    country comparison to the world: 88
    Roadways field listing
    total: 44,301 km (2018)
    paved: 3,346 km (2018)
    unpaved: 40,955 km (2018)
    country comparison to the world: 85
    Waterways field listing
    1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft in the northern part of the Niger River system) (2011)
    country comparison to the world: 54
    Merchant marine field listing
    total: 2
    by type: other 2 (2019)
    country comparison to the world: 174
    Ports and terminals field listing
    major seaport(s): Conakry, Kamsar
  • Transnational Issues :: Guinea
  • Disputes - international field listing

    Sierra Leone considers Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa Rivers excessive and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands, including the hamlet of Yenga, occupied since 1998

    Trafficking in persons field listing
    current situation: Guinea is a source, transit, and, to a lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the majority of trafficking victims are Guinean children, and trafficking is more prevalent among Guineans than foreign national migrants; Guinean girls are subjected to domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation, while boys are forced to beg or to work as street vendors, shoe shiners, or miners; Guinea is a source country and transit point for West African children forced to work as miners in the region; Guinean women and girls are subjected to domestic servitude and sex trafficking in West Africa, the Middle East, the US, and increasingly Europe, while Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese women are forced into prostitution and some West Africans are forced into domestic servitude in Guinea
    tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Guinea does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, Guinea was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; no new investigations were conducted in 2014, and the one ongoing case led to the prosecution of four offenders for forced child labor, three of whom were convicted but given inadequate sentences for the crime; the government did not identify or provide protective services to victims and did not support NGOs that assisted victims but continued to refer child victims to NGOs on an ad hoc basis; Guinean law does not prohibit all forms of trafficking, excluding, for example, debt bondage; the 2014 Ebolavirus outbreak negatively affected Guinea’s ability to address human trafficking (2015)